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Teacher's Guide for Soil! Get the Inside Scoop!

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• Types Of Soil

Types of Soil

Table of Contents

Overview of Soil

Important questions and answers about soil.

From a general perspective, “soil” is a very broad term and refers to the loose layer of earth that covers the surface of the planet. The soil is the part of the earth’s surface, which includes disintegrated rock, humus, inorganic and organic materials. For soil to form from rocks, it takes an average of 500 years or more. The soil is usually formed when rocks break up into their constituent parts. When a range of different forces acts on the rocks, they break into smaller parts to form the soil. These forces also include the impact of wind, water, and salts’ reaction.

• Soil with air in the pores
• Soil with water in the pores

Various types of soil undergo diverse environmental pressures. Soil is mainly classified by its texture, proportions and different forms of organic and mineral compositions.

Types of soils

Soil is classified into four types:

• Sandy soil.
• Loamy Soil.

The first type of soil is sand. It consists of small particles of weathered rock. Sandy soils are one of the poorest types of soil for growing plants because it has very low nutrients and poor water holding capacity, which makes it hard for the plant’s roots to absorb water. This type of soil is very good for the drainage system. Sandy soil is usually formed by the breakdown or fragmentation of rocks like granite, limestone and quartz.

Silt, which is known to have much smaller particles compared to sandy soil and is made up of rock and other mineral particles, which are smaller than sand and larger than clay. It is the smooth and fine quality of the soil that holds water better than sand.  Silt is easily transported by moving currents and it is mainly found near the river, lakes and other water bodies. The silt soil is more fertile compared to the other three types of soil. Therefore, it is also used in agricultural practices to improve soil fertility.

Clay is the smallest particle among the other two types of soil. The particles in this soil are tightly packed together with each other with very little or no airspace. This soil has very good water storage qualities and makes it hard for moisture and air to penetrate into it. It is very sticky to the touch when wet but smooth when dried.  Clay is the densest and heaviest type of soil which does not drain well or provide space for plant roots to flourish.

Loam is the fourth type of soil. It is a combination of sand, silt and clay such that the beneficial properties of each are included. For instance, it has the ability to retain moisture and nutrients; hence, it is more suitable for farming. This soil is also referred to as  agricultural soil as it includes an equilibrium of all three types of soil materials, being sandy, clay, and silt, and it also happens to have humus.  Apart from these, it also has higher calcium and pH levels because of its inorganic origins.

Related Links

• Soil Profile
• Photosynthesis
• Soil Pollution
• What Is Soil

The ground on which we walk is never quite the same; it keeps on changing. Sometimes, it is made up of millions of tiny sand granules and other times; it is a hard, rocky surface. Other places have the ground covered with moss and grass. When humans came along, the landscape slowly changed with the introduction of roads and rails.

1. State the classifications of soil.

Soil can be classified into three primary types based on its texture – sand, silt and clay. However, the percentage of these can vary, resulting in more compound types of soil such as loamy sand, sandy clay, silty clay, etc.

2. State the characteristics of sandy soil.

Sandy soil essentially consists of small particles formed by weathering rocks. It is also very low in nutrients and poor in holding water, which makes it one of the poorest types of soil for agriculture.

3. Explain the significant features of silty soil.

Silt has smaller particles compared to sand. It is also made up of rock and other mineral particles. Furthermore, its fine quality holds water better than sand. Due to the above-mentioned features, it is also beneficial for agriculture.

4. Explain the characteristic of Clay soil.

Clay contains the smallest particles among the other two types of soil. Particles are so densely packed that there is very little or no airspace. Consequently, this property effectively retains water. However, it also becomes hard for moisture and air to penetrate into it, thereby impeding the growth of plants.

Frequently Asked Questions on Types of Soil

What is soil.

Soil is usually referred to as the naturally occurring organic materials found on the earth’s surface. It is mainly composed of minerals, nutrients, water, other inorganic particles and some residues of plants and animals.

What are the different types of Soil?

There are different types of soil, and they are categorized mainly based on the size of the particles and the percentage of particles present in them—the three primary types of soil based on their texture are Sand, Loamy and Clay.

Other types of soil are based on the percentage of particles, resulting in more compound types of soil: loamy sand, sandy clay, silty clay, etc. Apart from these, soils are also classified based on their colour- Red soil, Black soil and Brown Soil.

Which soil is called the gardener’s best friend?

Loam or Loamy soil is called the gardener’s best friend.

Which crop can be grown in Loamy soil?

Loamy soil is suitable and the best soil for growing crops such as cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, wheat, pulses, jute and other vegetables.

What is Sandy Soil?

Sand or sandy soil is formed by the smallest or fine particles of weathering rocks. This soil is known as the poorest type of soil for agriculture and growing plants as they have very low nutritional value and poor water holding capacity.

What is Clay Soil?

Clay or clay soil is mainly composed of the smallest particles of soil, which are densely packed with very little or no airspace and they effectively retain water. This soil is not suitable for growing plants as it is harder for moisture and air to penetrate into the soil.

What is Loamy Soil?

Loamy Soil is the mixture of clay, sand and silt soil which consists of additional organic matter and is very fertile compared to other types of soil. It is well suited for cultivation as the plant roots get a sufficient amount of water and nutrients for their growth and development.

Which soil is preferable to grow coconut and melon?

Sandy soil is the preferable soil to grow coconut and melon.

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Soil Types and 10 Engaging Activities Your Students Will "Dig"

Middle and High School 

Jump to Activities

The pedosphere, aka soil, is an essential component of our ecosystem and plays a pivotal role in sustaining life. Students in your class will dig learning about the different soil types, their significance, and the factors that influence them.

In a previous post, Soil chemistry facts you'll dig , we shared a mound of information about elemental composition, minerals, ion exchange, and soil solution. This post lays the groundwork to further explore soil types, their importance, and factors that affect soil composition.

We also share hands-on activities you can use to deepen students' scientific understanding and encourage their active engagement in environmental stewardship.

Before digging into the activities, give your students the dirt on dirt:

What Are Soil Types?

Soil is the loose material that covers the Earth's surface (the pedosphere), consisting of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. Soil types can be classified based on composition, texture, and color. The three primary soil types are sand, silt, and clay, with varying proportions determining the soil's overall characteristics, as shown in the Soil Types Guide below.

The Importance of Soil:

Soil is a valuable natural resource that serves several critical functions:

Nutrient Cycling : Soil is a reservoir for essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, vital for plant growth and development. Various soil processes make these nutrients available to plants, ensuring their growth. Of course, plants must have water to facilitate the transfer of these essential nutrients. Water serves as the solvent and carrier of food nutrients from the soil to plants. It may seem like a chore, but that’s why it’s so important to wet our plants!

Water Storage and Filtration : Soil can hold and release water, crucial in regulating the water cycle. It acts as a natural sponge, preventing excessive runoff and reducing the risk of flooding. Additionally, soil acts as a filter, purifying water as it percolates through the layers, ensuring a clean water supply.

Habitat for Organisms : There’s a fungus among us, and that’s ok! Soil is a rich ecosystem that harbors many organisms, including fungi, bacteria, insects, worms, and plant roots. These organisms contribute to soil fertility, decomposition of organic matter, and the overall health of the ecosystem.

Carbon Sequestration : Soil is vital in mitigating climate change by acting as a carbon sink. Organic matter in the soil captures and stores carbon dioxide, reducing its atmospheric concentration.

5 Factors Affecting Soil Composition:

Pedogenesis is the study of the origin and formation of soil. Various factors influence the composition and properties of soil. Here are the five broad categories:

• Climate : Climate affects the rate of weathering, organic matter decomposition, and overall soil formation. Temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns influence the processes that shape soil composition.
• Parent Material : The parent material refers to the underlying geological material that produces soil as it’s exposed to the atmosphere. Different types of rocks and minerals can yield soils with varying characteristics.
• Topography : The physical features of the landscape, such as slope, elevation, and aspect, influence soil formation. Slopes can affect water drainage and erosion, leading to variations in soil types.
• Organisms : Living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, have a significant impact on soil composition. Their activities, such as root growth, nutrient cycling, and organic matter decomposition, contribute to the formation and fertility of soil.

5. Time : Tick-tock soil formation is a slow and continuous process over long periods. The age of the soil affects its development, fertility, and degree of weathering. Sand dunes are an example of young soil, and early forest soils are an example of the oldest soil. 1

This illustration highlights how these five factors and processes are involved in soil formation.

Soil size matters!

Grain size refers to the diameter of individual particles or grains in a material such as soil, sediment, or rock. The size can range from very small particles, such as clay, to larger particles, such as sand, and even larger particles, like gravel and boulders.

Scientists determine grain size through various methods, including visual estimation, sieving, laser diffraction, and microscopic analysis. Grain size tells us a lot about the geological history, processes, and physical properties of the Earth's materials. Geology Is the Way presents key methods for classifying and measuring clastic rocks and sediments based on the Udden-Wentworth scale, arenitic grain sizes chart, and Sieve analysis.

We have created this comprehensive Soil Types Guide to visually represent the diverse range of soils around the world. This guide is a valuable resource for science teachers and students, offering a clear and concise overview of the main soil types and their key features.

As students participate in activities, they can easily see soil composition and classification in an organized and accessible format. It categorizes soil types based on texture and composition, providing a quick reference for understanding their unique properties.

10 Soil Science Activities for Students:

• Soil Identification Activity : Use the Soil Types Guide for a hands-on activity where students observe and identify different soil types. Students can collect soil samples from various locations and use the guide to classify them based on their physical properties, such as color, texture, and particle size. You may find this handy Soil Formation Collection .  
• Soil Composition Investigation : Incorporate the Soil Types Guide into an investigation where students analyze the composition of different soil types. Students can compare the organic matter content, mineral composition, and nutrient levels of different soils, using the guide as a reference for identifying and understanding the variations. You may find this handy, Soil, Sands, and Gravel Set.  
• Soil Erosion Demonstration : By referencing the Soil Types Guide, design a demonstration to showcase the impact of different soil types on erosion. Students can set up miniature landscapes with various soil types and simulate rainfall or water flow to observe how soils erode differently based on their characteristics, such as particle size and structure. You may find this handy Modeling Stream Erosion and Deposition Kit.  
• Soil pH Experiment : Use the guide to explore the pH levels of different soil types. Students can collect soil samples and test their acidity or alkalinity using pH testing kits. By referring to the guide, they can understand how soil pH affects plant growth and its significance for agriculture and gardening. You may find this handy LaMotte® Acidity Test Kit .  
• Soil Nutrient Availability Investigation : Use the Soil Types Guide to investigate nutrient availability in different soils. Students can collect soil samples, perform nutrient tests, and compare the nutrient profiles of various soil types. This activity can help students understand the importance of soil fertility and how it impacts plant growth and ecosystem dynamics. You may find this handy, LaMotte® NPK Soil Test Kit .  
• Soil Conservation Lesson : You can use the guide to educate students about soil conservation strategies. Your lesson plan may explain how different soil types have varying vulnerabilities to erosion and degradation. By referencing the guide, encourage students to identify a conservation method for each soil type, such as contour plowing, terracing, or cover cropping. You may find this handy, Global Threats to the Environment Chart .  
• Soil Permeability Experiment : Use the Soil Types Guide in activities demonstrating soil permeability. Students can collect soil samples with different textures and conduct tests to measure the rate at which water infiltrates each soil type. By analyzing the results with the help of the guide, students can understand the relationship between soil structure and permeability. You may find this handy, Soil, Sands, and Gravel Set .  
• Soil Microorganisms Study : The guide can be used to introduce students to the diverse microorganisms present in different soil types. Students can collect and examine soil samples under microscopes, identifying and classifying the microorganisms they find. By referring to the guide, they can learn about the role of soil microorganisms in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil health. You may find these handy, Boreal2 Microscopes, HM Advanced Series and LaMotte® BioPaddles.  
• Soil and Plant Adaptations Research : Students will be excited to explore the relationship between soil types and plant adaptations. Students can choose specific soil types from the guide and research the plants that thrive in those soils. They can present their findings, highlighting the specific adaptations plants have developed to survive and grow in different soil conditions. You may find this handy, APES Lab #1: The Soil Factor: How Does Your Garden Grow?  
• Soil Pollution Investigation : Using the Soil Types Guide, students can investigate soil pollution. Students can collect soil samples from different areas, including urban, agricultural, and industrial locations. They can test the soil for pollutants such as heavy metals or pesticides and refer to the guide to understand the potential impact on soil quality and ecosystem health. This activity can also raise their awareness about environmental issues and the importance of soil conservation. You may find this handy, LaMotte® Electronic Soil Outfit.

Understanding soil types, their importance, and the factors influencing soil composition is crucial for students to grasp the significance of soil in our ecosystem. Exploring these topics can inspire curiosity, foster environmental awareness, and instill a sense of responsibility toward preserving this natural resource.

1 . University of Idaho: Alfisols

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Soil horizons

Pedons and polypedons.

• Grain size and porosity
• Water runoff
• Mineral content
• Organic content
• Biological phenomena
• Parent material
• U.S. Soil Taxonomy
• FAO soil groups
• Erosive processes
• Rates of soil erosion
• Resistance to erosion
• Carbon and nitrogen cycles
• Soils and global warming
• Xenobiotic chemicals
• Pathways of detoxification

What is soil?

What are the grain sizes in soil, what are the layers of soil.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Geology.com - Expansive Soil and Expansive Clay
• The University of Hawaiʻi Pressbooks - The Soil
• Tulane University - Weathering and Soils
• The Spruce - What Is Soil? Get the Dirt on Dirt
• CORE - Soils and weathering
• Nature - Scitable - What are Soils?
• Agriculture Victoria - What is soil?
• Royal Horticultural Society - Soil types
• Biology LibreTexts - Soil
• Soil Science Society of America - Soil Basics
• Energy.gov - Soil
• soil - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• soil - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Soil is the biologically active and porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. It serves as the reservoir of water and nutrients and a medium for the filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes. It also helps in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem.

The grain size of soil particles are categorized into three groups: clay, silt, and sand. Clay measures less than 0.002 mm (0.0008 inch) in diameter, silt is between 0.002 mm (0.0008 inch) and 0.05 mm (0.002 inch), and sand is between 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) and 2 mm (0.08 inch).

What are the five factors of soil formation?

The evolution of soils and their properties is called soil formation, and according to pedologists, five fundamental soil formation processes influence soil properties. These five “state factors” are parent material, topography, climate, organisms, and time.

Soils have a unique structural characteristic that distinguishes them from mere earth materials: a vertical sequence of layers produced by the combined actions of percolating waters and living organisms. These layers are called horizons and are designated A horizon, B horizon, C horizon, E horizon, O horizon, and R horizon.

Recent News

soil , the biologically active, porous medium that has developed in the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust. Soil is one of the principal substrata of life on Earth, serving as a reservoir of water and nutrients, as a medium for the filtration and breakdown of injurious wastes, and as a participant in the cycling of carbon and other elements through the global ecosystem . It has evolved through weathering processes driven by biological, climatic, geologic, and topographic influences.

Since the rise of agriculture and forestry in the 8th millennium bce , there has also arisen by necessity a practical awareness of soils and their management. In the 18th and 19th centuries the Industrial Revolution brought increasing pressure on soil to produce raw materials demanded by commerce, while the development of quantitative science offered new opportunities for improved soil management. The study of soil as a separate scientific discipline began about the same time with systematic investigations of substances that enhance plant growth. This initial inquiry has expanded to an understanding of soils as complex, dynamic , biogeochemical systems that are vital to the life cycles of terrestrial vegetation and soil-inhabiting organisms—and by extension to the human race as well.

This article covers the structure, composition , and classification of soils and how these factors affect soil’s role in the global ecosystem. In addition, the two most important phenomena that degrade soils, erosion and pollution, are discussed. For a cartographic guide to the distribution of the world’s major soils, featuring links to short descriptive entries on each soil type, see the interactive world map .

The soil profile

Soils differ widely in their properties because of geologic and climatic variation over distance and time. Even a simple property, such as the soil thickness, can range from a few centimetres to many metres, depending on the intensity and duration of weathering , episodes of soil deposition and erosion , and the patterns of landscape evolution. Nevertheless, in spite of this variability, soils have a unique structural characteristic that distinguishes them from mere earth materials and serves as a basis for their classification: a vertical sequence of layers produced by the combined actions of percolating waters and living organisms.

These layers are called horizons , and the full vertical sequence of horizons constitutes the soil profile (see the figure ). Soil horizons are defined by features that reflect soil-forming processes. For instance, the uppermost soil layer (not including surface litter) is termed the A horizon . This is a weathered layer that contains an accumulation of humus (decomposed, dark-coloured, carbon-rich matter) and microbial biomass that is mixed with small-grained minerals to form aggregate structures.

Below A lies the B horizon . In mature soils this layer is characterized by an accumulation of clay (small particles less than 0.002 mm [0.00008 inch] in diameter) that has either been deposited out of percolating waters or precipitated by chemical processes involving dissolved products of weathering. Clay endows B horizons with an array of diverse structural features (blocks, columns, and prisms) formed from small clay particles that can be linked together in various configurations as the horizon evolves.

Below the A and B horizons is the C horizon , a zone of little or no humus accumulation or soil structure development. The C horizon often is composed of unconsolidated parent material from which the A and B horizons have formed. It lacks the characteristic features of the A and B horizons and may be either relatively unweathered or deeply weathered. At some depth below the A, B, and C horizons lies consolidated rock , which makes up the R horizon.

These simple letter designations are supplemented in two ways (see the table of soil horizon letter designations). First, two additional horizons are defined. Litter and decomposed organic matter (for example, plant and animal remains) that typically lie exposed on the land surface above the A horizon are given the designation O horizon , whereas the layer immediately below an A horizon that has been extensively leached (that is, slowly washed of certain contents by the action of percolating water) is given the separate designation E horizon , or zone of eluviation (from Latin ex , “out,” and lavere , “to wash”). The development of E horizons is favoured by high rainfall and sandy parent material, two factors that help to ensure extensive water percolation. The solid particles lost through leaching are deposited in the B horizon, which then can be regarded as a zone of illuviation (from Latin il , “in,” and lavere ).

The combined A, E, B horizon sequence is called the solum (Latin: “floor”). The solum is the true seat of soil-forming processes and is the principal habitat for soil organisms. (Transitional layers, having intermediate properties, are designated with the two letters of the adjacent horizons.)

The second enhancement to soil horizon nomenclature (also shown in the table) is the use of lowercase suffixes to designate special features that are important to soil development. The most common of these suffixes are applied to B horizons: g to denote mottling caused by waterlogging, h to denote the illuvial accumulation of humus, k to denote carbonate mineral precipitates, o to denote residual metal oxides, s to denote the illuvial accumulation of metal oxides and humus, and t to denote the accumulation of clay.

Soils are natural elements of weathered landscapes whose properties may vary spatially. For scientific study, however, it is useful to think of soils as unions of modules known as pedons. A pedon is the smallest element of landscape that can be called soil. Its depth limit is the somewhat arbitrary boundary between soil and “not soil” (e.g., bedrock). Its lateral dimensions must be large enough to permit a study of any horizons present—in general, an area from 1 to 10 square metres (10 to 100 square feet), taking into account that a horizon may be variable in thickness or even discontinuous. Wherever horizons are cyclic and recur at intervals of 2 to 7 metres (7 to 23 feet), the pedon includes one-half the cycle. Thus, each pedon includes the range of horizon variability that occurs within small areas. Wherever the cycle is less than 2 metres, or wherever all horizons are continuous and of uniform thickness, the pedon has an area of 1 square metre.

Soils are encountered on the landscape as groups of similar pedons, called polypedons, that contain sufficient area to qualify as a taxonomic unit. Polypedons are bounded from below by “not soil” and laterally by pedons of dissimilar characteristics.

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Lesson Plan: Types of Soil Science

This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to describe the composition of different types of soil and identify plants that can grow in each.

Students will be able to

• describe and compare the composition of sandy soil, silty soil, and clay soil,
• name plants that grow well in sandy soil, silty soil, and clay soil,
• compare the textures of different types of soil.

Prerequisites

Students should already be familiar with

• the definition of soil,
• soil composition.

Students will not cover

• detailed properties of soil types.

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